Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: larss Dec 26 2016, 07:50 AM

During the 1st tear down of my 100.000 mile stock 1.7 engime I filled the oil cooler with some detergent and let it sit overnight.
What came out was wery similar to a Guinnes Stout, also there was a lot of dirt sunk down to the bottom of the jar.
Did a second fill and what came out the day after was more like strong coffe butno dirt in the bottom.

My feel is that this may have affected the cooling significantely and to clean the inside of the oil cooler when there is a chance is a must.

Is there a more effective way to clean it?

/Lars S




Dirt from the bottom of the jar:

Posted by: ConeDodger Dec 26 2016, 07:58 AM

It's a replacement item.

Posted by: dlee6204 Dec 26 2016, 08:21 AM

Just replace it with a new one.

Posted by: Krieger Dec 26 2016, 09:05 AM

There are businesses that specialize in cleaning oil coolers ultrasonically. They will also pressure test them for leaks. Gasoline is also a good cheap solvent.

Posted by: Perry Kiehl Dec 26 2016, 09:10 AM

Unless you can find a place that specializes in cleaning contaminated oil coolers, that thing is a goner.

Posted by: 6freak Dec 26 2016, 09:26 AM

id try boiling with some dawn dish soap if that dont work ,,I agree buy new....and gas is for running your car not cleaning it JMO...1 spark and well you know the rest...good luck

Posted by: larss Dec 26 2016, 10:13 AM

Thanks all, didnt know that!
Can see that the prices for new coolers vary a lot...wich coolers should I avoid/go for?


Lars S

Posted by: Perry Kiehl Dec 26 2016, 10:53 AM

A quick google search revealed you can get a new one for less than $150, this is a no-brainer. I'd try and find one that wasn't made in Brazil or China

Posted by: eyesright Dec 26 2016, 11:10 AM

Wow! That engine was still running? Show us the crank journals and etc...we gotta see this!

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Dec 26 2016, 01:24 PM

If you really MUST keep the old one, send it here. http://oilcoolers.com/

Posted by: larss Dec 26 2016, 01:38 PM

Thanks!
"Case is closed" but I have saved the old bearing races can take some shots on them.

Lars S

Posted by: injunmort Dec 26 2016, 03:06 PM

i put my last one in old turkey fryer with tsp from lowes, i keep the temp under boiling. it cleaned it right out. used the same setup as a hot tank for the oily bits as well.

Posted by: maf914 Dec 26 2016, 03:53 PM

A new replacement seems to be reasonably priced at US $79.95 from aircooled.net. I don't know what the price may be in Sweden.

http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Oil-Cooler-Type-4-Engine-021-117-021B-p/021-117-021b.htm

Posted by: Mikey914 Dec 26 2016, 03:57 PM

Radiator shops can do this. Steam clean and pressure test.

Posted by: North Coast Jim Dec 26 2016, 05:30 PM

For the price you pay to attempt to clean it I would purchase new. Gives a new life to a valuable component as well

Posted by: Jake Raby Dec 27 2016, 12:32 AM

The new units cool 10-15% less than the OEM units. I have even seen them out of the box with sand inside them. I no longer use them, and haven't for a few years now.

Ultrasonic cleaning is the only way to go, in a real machine, not a little toy. All 3 of mine are 20K watts and heat to 210F, you should see what comes out of an oil cooler after 20 minutes in the ultrasonic.

Posted by: gonzo54 Oct 20 2022, 09:13 AM

Old thread-I'm looking for a Southern California Company to ultrasonic clean and test my oil cooler and I don't want to spend the "Aircraft Certification" price that Pacific Oil Cooler Service charges-any recommendations?

Thanks